Duke Basketball: Projected rotation and minutes for 2022-23 season

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 02: Jeremy Roach #3 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the first half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half of the game during the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal at Caesars Superdome on April 02, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Montverde Academy’s Dariq Whitehead GEICO Nationals 2022: AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) vs. Montverde Academy (Fla.), March 31, 2022 /

Small forward

Projected starter: Dariq Whitehead (25 mpg)

Because of the freshmen bigs on the roster, somehow Whitehead has flown under the radar among the incoming freshmen. A consensus top-10 overall recruit that 247sportsComposite has at No. 2 overall, the 6’6 small forward has an all-around game that should allow him to excel in both the college and pro game.

Whitehead is a solid shooter but specializes in creating his own offense off the dribbles. That includes getting to the basket and making some from mid-range and even from deep. He’s also a very good defender and passer and could end up being the leading scorer on the team.

Reserve: Mark Mitchell (10 mpg), Jacob Grandison (5 mpg) – In case of emergency/injury: Kale Catchings

Depending on other lineups, expect Grandison to get some time at the wing position. And look for another five-star forward prospect to play some on the wing as well in Mark Mitchell, a top-10 combo forward and elite athlete at 6’8 who can defend at the three-spot. The question for him is whether offensively he can play there.

Mitchell at the small forward and Grandison at the two-spot would create potentially the biggest lineup in all of college basketball and could be effective against certain lineups in spot minutes. That being said, Whitehead’s offense gives him the clear lead at this position.

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